The Heartwood
The Heartwood is the sacred core of the Kishar Grovekin, a lush and ancient grove nestled within the Incantum Forest. Towering trees known as the Heartwoods form a dense canopy overhead, their roots intertwining deep below, pulsing with the life force of the World Tree. At the centre stands the Groveheart, a colossal tree that glows with an ethereal light, believed to be an earthly anchor of Kishar’s power. This grove is cared for by the Nadurian Sages. The air is thick with the scent of moss and rich soil, while streams of crystal-clear water wind through the undergrowth, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Here, the Grovekin perform their most sacred rituals, such as the Rite of Renewal.
The Rite of Renewal
The Rite of Renewal is a sacred ceremony held annually during the first full moon of spring. During this ritual, the Grovekin gather around an ancient, towering oak—the oldest tree in the Botanoron, known as the Heartwood. The ceremony begins at dusk, with the Seedbearers collecting saplings and seeds from the surrounding forest. These are then presented to the one of the Nadurian Sages, who blesses them with sacred water drawn from a hidden spring at the base of the Heartwood.
As night falls, the Grovekin chant prayers and hymns to the Tree Mother, asking for her blessing on the new growth and for the renewal of the forest’s vitality. The saplings and seeds are then planted in a ceremonial circle around the Heartwood, symbolizing the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The Rite of Renewal is a time of reflection and gratitude, a moment to honour Kishar’s gift of life.
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